The U.S. Justice Department announced Tuesday it will investigate the Hinds County Detention Center in Mississippi just weeks after local officials declared a state of emergency following a riot that killed one inmate and injured several others.

The detention center includes a facility in the capitol city of Jackson and another in the suburb of Raymond. Both are under investigation, the agency said in a press release.

"We don't have anything to hide; we kind of look forward to it," said Hinds County Board of Supervisors President Darrel McQuirter, whose board had declared the state of emergency on April 1.

The Hinds County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency at the Hinds County Detention Center in April following a riot that killed one inmate.

The riot occurred on March 31, but problems have plagued the dilapidated detention center for years. Among the issues are cell doors that don't properly lock, widespread gang activity and overcrowding due in part to inmates who have been jailed for months and even years without trial.

"Our investigation will focus on whether Hinds County protects prisoners from the harm that can result from prisoner on prisoner violence and the improper use of force," said Jocelyn Samuels, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, in a press release.

"We have not prejudged this matter, and will seek cooperation from county officials and other stakeholders during the course of the investigation."

Attorneys for the County Board and the Sheriff were notified on June 2, 2014. McQuinter said everyone will fully cooperate with the federal investigation.

News of the investigation came as little surprise to Hinds County Sheriff' Tyrone Lewis, who said the detention center's history of woes almost begged for federal intervention. Lewis said he welcomes the outside probe and hopes it brings much-needed improvement to the facility.

"We've been seeking help since we've been in office two and a half years," said Lewis, who in 2011 beat incumbent Malcolm McMillin for the seat.

McMillin had served for two decades and was there when the detention center opened, despite known structural deficiencies, in 1994.

Included in the investigation will be a comprehensive review of policies, procedures, and records, as well as interviews with county officials, jail administrators, staff, and current and former inmates, according to the DOJ, which said it opened the investigation under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.

"The Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi will work diligently with the Civil Rights Division to ensure that the investigation into the detention center is one that will ultimately yield results that are helpful to the citizenry of the Southern District of Mississippi, and specifically, Hinds County," said Gregory K. Davis, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.

Individuals who have allegations about unlawful conditions in the Jail are encouraged to contact the Justice Department by phone at (202) 514-6255, by email at HCDC.community@usdoj.gov or by mail at: U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Special Litigation Section, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20530.